Using PowerShell to convert to the MiniShell on a Server 2012 R2 Datacenter Core Edition

You initially installed Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter Core Edition now you want to convert the installation to include the MiniShell to take care of some administrative tasks. Once the MiniShell has been installed you will have access to all the features of the graphical Server Manager tool.

In this blog I will show you the steps to convert to the MiniShell.

Use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM.EXE) to determine the index number of the desired operating system in the install.wim file.

Open an Administrative Command Prompt.

Type dism /get-imageinfo /imagefile:d:\sources\install.wim

Note: d: is the drive letter of the DVD drive.

In our case Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter is Index : 4

Use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM.EXE) to mount the desired operating system files from the install.wim file.

Note: If you previously had the graphical interface installed on this server you will not have to mount the installation files.

Note: If your computer has internet access, PowerShell can retrieve the source files from Windows Update.

Make a folder on the root of the C: drive to mount the installation files. Type mkdir C:\mount, type dir to ensure folder was created.

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